OSP warns to avoid I-5 in Willamette Valley

Oregon State Police are urging drivers to avoid traveling on Interstate 5 in the area north of Eugene due to winter conditions and multiple crashes on the freeway.

Oregon State Police are urging drivers to avoid traveling on Interstate 5 in the area north of Eugene due to winter conditions and multiple crashes on the freeway.

An OSP alert said there have been multiple crashes on I-5 between Albany and Salem areas due to hazardous road and weather conditions. Roads are snow-packed and/or icy in the area.

The freeway is currently closed two miles north of Albany, near milepost 236 and southbound I-5 is closed near Cottage Grove at milepost 183 by a jackknifed semitrailer.

Forecasters predict up to 4 inches of snow in the Willamette Valley today and up to 3 more inches Friday. Currently, light snow is on the ground near Cottage Grove and heavier amounts have fallen north of there.

Check road and weather at www.tripcheck.com for traffic and weather-related information.